In the Mansfield section of Port Murray (Warren County) on Wednesday afternoon an officer was heading west on Route 57 when another car veered across the road and forced the policeman to swerve and hop the curb before he got the car under control and followed the driver into a traffic stop.

22-year-old Antonio Latona of Hackettstown was then found to be the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Latona is charged with possession of heroin, possession of a hypodermic needle, driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lanes and several equipment violations, according to police.

“This is the second time in the past couple weeks where an officer was nearly struck by an intoxicated driver,” Mansfield Police said. “PLEASE think before you get behind the wheel. It’s not worth taking another’s life!”

In Brick Township, it was around 11:45 pm Wednesday night that Patrolman Michael Dinnebeil was conducting a motor vehicle stop on Route 70 east near Kentwood Boulevard when a drunk driver hit his patrol car, causing injury to the officer.

The driver of that vehicle, 38 year-old Corey Breitenbruck of Point Pleasant, was then arrested for Driving Under the Influence and Assault by Auto, along with other motor vehicle violations.

Patrolman Dinnebeil was transported to Ocean Medical Center, treated for injuries, and was then released.